LAST CHANCE IN 2007! First, the GOOD NEWS: In January '08, all donors will have access to a restricted directory containing Adobe Acrobat PDF files of "The Best of Swans" and Special Issues. Hopefully, this will be an incentive for those of you who have sat on the sidelines and have yet to help our efforts financially. Because, here is the BAD NEWS: We remain short from our $5,000 Fundraising Drive goal by close to $2,000, which means that if we can't bridge the gap before the end of the year we will have to significantly curtail the services we have faithfully provided over the years. Please, don't let this happen. Donate Now!
The 36-page front section of today's New York Times was in keeping with all of the year's news that was "fit to print." Sixteen full-page ads; eight pages of mostly ads; three half-pagers; and in between, among the coverage of the 2008 presidential race, the entertainment writer's strike, baseball on steroids, and the holiday's "neediest cases," was nestled a short item revealing that "Texans who board evacuation buses during hurricanes or other emergencies must now submit to criminal background checks." Mind you, the criminals will be evacuated, just in separate buses to keep the good people safe. Yeah, and our civil rights are intact, the surge is working, the economy is strong, so go out and shop...
But after you've made sure all your parking tickets are paid and before you head to the mall, you might want to read A Year In Review for a look back at the real news that wasn't deemed fit to print in 2007. Among the essays, there is much to learn and reflect upon from the past year and to consider when looking forward to the next. From America's flawed democracy to its crumbling economy and the global repercussions; the US presidential candidates and international politics; the antiwar movement and the state of activism; to technology and disconnect -- it's all covered here. With, of course, a bit of humor and poetry.
We'll be back in two weeks with our annual irreverent Infamous PredictionsTM and more. Wishing all of us peace, and a seat on the bus, in the coming year.
As always, please form your OWN opinion, and let your friends (and foes) know about Swans. It's your voice that makes ours grow.
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Charles Marowitz: From Travesty To Tragedy
2007 demonstrated that the pathology of American democracy is a Weltanschauung that runs far deeper than replacing one politician for another can cure. More...
Gilles d'Aymery: A Battered America
A look back at 2007, in which the USA, politically, militarily, and economically is fast becoming the USS Titanic. Is there still time for the people to awaken and change the course? More...
Eli Beckerman: 2007: The Great Unraveling Begins
We have entered the Great Unraveling - a time of more Katrinas, wildfires, fuel shortages, droughts, global heating, food insecurity and economic instability. Will a new narrative emerge that addresses these crises and points the way to real solutions? Time will tell. More...
Louis Proyect: The Nation Magazine And The 2008 Presidential Elections
The year 2007 once again demonstrated that the Democrats are not the part of change, yet with the 2008 presidential election approaching, the so-called Liberal press is already supporting lesser-evil candidates rather than true progressives. More...
Gerard Donnelly Smith: The Meltdown
Meltdown, from ice caps to the economy, is an appropriate metaphor for the year 2007; hopefully it was a year in which we woke up, in time to stop the meltdowns before they reach critical mass. More...
Martin Murie: Looking Back At The Antiwar Movement
Critique of 2007's anti-war movements: One can only hope that the peace movement learned, in 2007, that the Democratic Party is no more the peace party than the Republicans, so it's time to change the way we use our privilege to vote, and get ready for another year of protests. More...
Carol Warner Christen: Who, What, And Why Was 2007?
Based on Allen Roland's nine stages of civilization, America's about to start back at the beginning stage, bondage, for which the 2007 paradigm has been a precursor year. More...
Jan Baughman: 2007: Disconnected In The Age Of Technology
2007 was a year of disconnect from reality, thanks in part to the very technology intended to keep us connected. More...
Philip Greenspan: The USA Of 2007: A Sinking Ship Of State
A review of the important news stories impacting American politics and economy that did not get the main media attention they deserved in 2007. More...
Peter Byrne: What Myrtle Said And Read In 2007
The author reviews the 2007 politics, controversies, culture, and creativity on Swans in his uniquely theatric, humorous, and insightful style. More...
Guido Monte & Francesca Saieva: World Tragedy 2007
The world tragedy of this year is seen poetically by Monte and Saieva through shades, dust, the end of great dreams... The best life is always yet to come. More...
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